Brian FordeElijah Shaw, 5, of Cedar Springs, serves as the Red Flannel prince as he waves to the crowd during the Childrenâs Parade.

revelers away, as the residents of Cedar Springs once again embraced the return of the Red Flannel Festival last weekend.

Festival President Michele Andres estimated this year’s festival attracted approximately 25,000 to 30,000 people, which she described as an “average” turnout for Red Flannel weekend.

Andres said that attendance at outdoor events seemed lower than indoor events, likely due to the cold weather.

“Friday evening, we had a record crowd at the Grand Lodge and the arts and craft fair reported large crowds at the schools,” she said.

Despite the weather, many still braved the cold for the festival’s signature event, the Grand Parade. The Parade featured over 120 entries this year, including a first-ever appearance from the Grand Valley State University marching band. The motorcycle escort for the Michigan Vietnam Wall Memorial attracted more than 70 motorcyclists who accompanied the wall on its journey from Grand Rapids to Cedar Springs on the morning of Red Flannel Day.

The cold also did little to deter a team of local residents who pitched in to help handle the preparation and clean-up work that helps make the festival possible.“This year, Jerry Hall, Steve Saboo, Sam Saboo, and Steve McBride volunteered their time and energy to do the set-up and clean-up historically handled by the city,” Andres said. “We believe this may have saved approximately $5,000 in the overall city costs to the festival last year.”

Official statistics on the economic impact of the festival will take around a month to compile. However, Andres said that based on Michigan Festival and Events Association calculations for past festivals with an average level of attendance, the estimated economic impact should equate to “$500,000 to $750,000 total” for the community.

The festival will also provide an impact for local charities as well, with numerous non-profit organizations participating in the festival’s Community Share program. While final results are still being tallied, Andres said estimates show more than $5,000 will be donated to the partnering non-profit organizations. The festival’s annual flapjack breakfast also served more than 500 all-you-can-eat breakfasts this year, with all proceeds benefiting the Brown Family for Cedar Springs’ Veteran’s Park. In addition, the Red Flannel Queen Scholarship Committee is still working towards its fundraising goal of $10,000, with 100 percent of all donations used for scholarships for the queen and her court. Donations may be made via the Red Flannel website at www.redflannelfestival.org or mailed to P.O. Box 43, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.